G-Shocks are good for exactly what they claim: a watch you cannot break, that keeps quartz time, at a price from about $100 up. They are not refined, the negative displays can be hard to read, and the analog-digital ones can lose their hand alignment in a hard knock. This guide gives the honest case for and against, the water-resistance facts (200 meters on the ones we sell), and how much a G-Shock should cost.
Why they are good
Shock resistance is the whole design: a floating module in a resin case with a protected crystal, tested by dropping it from ten meters onto concrete. Quartz accuracy of around 15 seconds a month. Batteries that last two to seven years, or solar on the higher models. And a price where losing one is not a tragedy.
Where they fall short
The resin looks like resin. Negative (black) displays are lower contrast in dim light. The GA-series hands can be knocked out of alignment, which is fixable in a minute with the H.SET procedure. PVD coatings on the fancy ones wear at the edges. And a G-Shock is not a dress watch, no matter what the catalog says.
Are they waterproof
Water resistant to 200 meters on the GA100, GD100, GBD800, GBX100 and Rangeman, which in practice means swimming, surfing, showering and diving without a computer are fine. Do not press buttons underwater on the older modules, rinse after salt water, and know that no watch is rated for a hot tub or a sauna, where steam gets past gaskets. A ten-year-old G-Shock should get its gaskets checked before a dive trip.
How much a G-Shock costs
$100 to $150 for the classics: the GA100MB-1A ($110) and GD100-1B ($110). $120 to $170 for Bluetooth models like the GBD800 and GBX100. $330 for a triple-sensor solar Rangeman. Above that you are paying for metal cases and limited editions, not toughness.
Who should buy one
Anyone who wants a watch they never think about. If you want to read it at 4 a.m. without a button, a tritium Luminox is the other answer; see the comparison below.
Frequently asked questions
Are G-Shock watches good?
Yes, for toughness, accuracy and price. They are not refined or dressy.
Are G-Shocks waterproof?
Water resistant to 200 meters on the models we sell: swimming, surfing and showering are fine.
How long does a G-Shock last?
Decades. Batteries last two to seven years; solar models longer.
How much does a G-Shock cost?
$100 to $170 for most; $330 for the Rangeman.
Which G-Shock is best?
The GA100 for everyday wear; the Rangeman for the outdoors.
The bottom line
Good, tough, 200 meters, $110. Start with the GA100MB-1A.
Related reading
Best G-Shock for EDC
Luminox vs G-Shock
How to set the time on any G-Shock
